Riyadh Airport Attack Kills 12, Halts Flights Across Gulf

Saudi Arabia's General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) confirmed an attack on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh on Saturday, October 10, killed 12 people and injured 309. The fatalities included four Saudi nationals and citizens from Bangladesh, the United States, Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Palestine, and Sudan. GACA temporarily suspended airport operations to assess damage and verify facility safety.

The closure triggered widespread cancellations across the Gulf. Cirium data showed 99.72 percent of Riyadh's scheduled departures — 353 of 354 flights — were cancelled on Sunday. Emirates, Etihad Airways, flydubai, and Air Arabia halted numerous services linking Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah with Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, Abha, and other Saudi destinations through at least October 12.

“The attack killed 12 people and injured 309 others, including individuals in critical condition.”

Etihad cancelled selected Abu Dhabi–Riyadh flights (EY551, EY552, EY555, EY556, EY559, EY560) from October 10 to 12, citing operational disruption. Emirates cancelled Dubai–Riyadh flights EK815, EK819, EK816, EK818, and EK820 on Friday and Saturday. flydubai suspended services to Riyadh, Abha, and Yanbu through the weekend.

Kuwait Airways cancelled its Kuwait–Riyadh route on Saturday, while Qatar Airways cancelled Doha–Riyadh flights on October 9 and 10. The Saudi Foreign Ministry urged stranded citizens abroad to contact local Saudi embassies for assistance. Dubai and Abu Dhabi airports also reported delays on inbound flights from multiple international origins.

Regional tensions remain elevated. US President Donald Trump described "productive discussions" with Tehran while a US naval blockade of Iranian ports continues. Iran is reviewing a US response to its proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. The European Union Aviation Safety Agency maintains an active conflict-zone bulletin for parts of Saudi airspace.